Town of Warwick
Selectboard
July 5, 2016
Minutes
Members present: Dawn Magi, Lawrence Pruyne, James Erviti
Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary and Town
Clerk Rosa Fratangelo, Tax Collector Terry Kemerer, Assistant Tax
Collector Jessica Foote, Broadband Committee member Miryam Williamson,
Finance Committee member Steve Ruggiero, Jared Robinson (Athol Daily
News), Shelby Ashline (Greenfield Recorder)
I. Call to Order
Chair Magi called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm in the Town Hall.
II. Minutes
Magi MOVED to approve the minutes of June 20, 2016 as printed. Erviti
SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
III.Presentations and Discussions
1. Appointment of New Tax Collector --Tax Collector tendered his
resignation effective today, July 5, 2016; the letter was given to Town
Clerk Rosa Fratangelo. Kemerer had requested that the Selectboard
appoint Assistant Tax Collector Jessica Foote to succeed him. The
position was posted on the Town's official bulletin board.
Pruyne MOVED to appoint Jessica Foote Tax Collector for a term to expire
June 30, 2019. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
Young commended and praised Terry Kemerer for his work as Ta
Collector, noting he believed Kemerer may have the highest collection
percentage in the State. Kemerer said that Jessica Foote has been doing
the job since November and will be excellent in her new job. Magi said
that she had a great teacher; Foote concurred. Before she left the
meeting, Jessica Foote was sworn in by the Town Clerk.
2. MIAA Membership Application--Young said that MIAA, our new
insurance carrier, provides us with lower rates than our former
insurance provider. He explained that the Board needed to vote and
complete the membership application for MIAA.
Magi MOVED to apply to MIAA for membership. Pruyne SECONDED. Motion
CARRIED 3-0-0.
As Chair, Magi signed the necessary application papers.
3. Accounting Update--Young said that the CPA audit for FY 15 will
commence on Thursday, June 14th. The audit will be performed by Scanlon
and Associates. Young said that the auditors will be on site for about
one week.
4. Financial Directives --Young said that Town Counsel has given a
legal opinion that compensatory time is to be taken within twelve months
and is time denominated. He explained that comp time is time off in the
future instead of pay today. Young asked the Board to vote a directive
for the benefit of the Highway Department and the Accountant.
Pruyne MOVED to continue to recognize and fund Highway compensatory
time. Erviti SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
5. Inter-Municipal Agreement: Orange Ambulance--Young said that there
was a three year agreement with Orange Ambulance that required the
Selectboard's approval in order to pay the first payment of $8,754.00
for the first six months of FY 17. He noted that we can give notice to
terminate the agreement by March 31, 2017 if we have alternative
services. Steve Ruggiero asked about 911 response without an agreement;
Young replied that there is no law that requires 911 response without an
agreement in place.
Pruyne MOVED to pay the bill schedule for Orange Ambulance. Erviti
SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0.
Erviti excused himself from the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
Magi MOVED to enter into a three year inter-municipal agreement with
Orange Ambulance. Pruyne SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 2-0-0.
As Chair, Magi signed the inter-municipal agreement between the Towns
of Orange and Warwick.
6. Landline Phone Service Update--Young said that he had received one
more comment and will keep trying to elicit more responses.
7. Highway: Chapter 90 Reimbursement--Young said that the paperwork was
ready for Chapter 90 reimbursement for the Chestnut Hill Road drainage
and resurfacing project. He noted that the project came in well under
budget, having been estimated to cost $40,000.00 while the actual cost
was $29,334.88.
Pruyne MOVED to seek Chapter 90 reimbursement for the Chestnut Hill
project in the amount of $29,334.88. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED
2-0-0.
The appropriate documents were signed.
8. Green Communities--Young said that Warwick is eligible for DLA
assistance through FRCOG which would be used to develop our next Green
Communities grant. He noted that Guardian Energy will be installing the
air source heat pumps in Town Hall to reduce energy usage and costs for
heating and cooling.
9. Broadband--Williamson said that the Broadband Committee will be
suggesting a discount service for families who receive either school
food assistance or fuel assistance. She explained that the families
would need only to provide proof that they receive one of these services
to qualify. Williamson said that the Broadband Committee is working on a
plan which will be brought in for the Selectboard's review and not be
implemented until the WBS system upgrade has been completed. There was a
consensus of the Board to have the Broadband Committee develop a
proposal for low income subscribers.
10. Selectboard Reports--Pruyne said that he received a telephone call
from WCS Principal Elizabeth Musgrave, and that she told him she had
received positive feedback from parents on having childcare at the
school. Pruyne said that he will be meeting with Principal Musgrave to
develop a better instrument to gauge interest.
11. Coordinator Report--There was nothing to be added to the written
Coordinator report.
12. Public Comment--Ruggiero asked about the grant for the new stove in
the Town Hall kitchen.
13. New and Other Business Unanticipated at Time of Meeting
Posting--None.
IV.Adjournment
At 6:34 p.m., Pruyne MOVED to adjourn. Magi SECONDED. Motion CARRIED
2-0-0.
Documents consulted at this meeting:
*Draft Minutes of Selectboard meeting of June 20, 2016
*Coordinator Report dated June 30, 2016
*Resume of Assistant Tax Collector Jessica Foote
*MBI packet of documents: Last Mile Town Readiness Guidelines and
Samples
*Warwick Broadband Committee Report to the Selectboard dated July 5,
2016
*MIAA Membership Agreement for the Town of Warwick
*Contract Agreement for Advanced Life Support Services by and between
the Town of Orange and
the Town of Warwick
*Chapter 90 Reimbursement Request for Chestnut Hill Road Drainage and
Resurfacing Project